Netherlands University Admission Requirements for Non-EU Students (2027)

To get into a Dutch university as a non-EU student you need a diploma that the institution considers equal to the Dutch level required (HAVO for universities of applied sciences, VWO for research universities, or a relevant bachelor's for a master's), an accepted English test, and any program-specific subjects, documents or selection. Each institution sets and checks its own requirements.

This guide explains how Dutch universities assess foreign qualifications, how diplomas from Afghanistan, Pakistan and India compare, and what English scores and documents you need for 2027/28.

Who decides whether you are admitted?

Study in NL is clear: admission requirements are set by the institution you choose, and they can vary by program. To check a foreign diploma, the institution consults Nuffic, the Dutch ENIC-NARIC, free of charge for you. The institution may add its own requirements, and its final decision can differ from Nuffic's first evaluation.

You do not need your own credential evaluation. If you are unsure what level to apply for, you can pay for one from IDW (€148.83). IDW says its evaluation is advice only and does not guarantee admission, and that processing times are currently longer than usual.

Bachelor's programs: HAVO level or VWO level?

The Netherlands has two kinds of bachelor's programs. Universities of applied sciences (HBO) offer 4-year bachelor's programs and accept a diploma at Dutch HAVO level. Research universities (WO) offer 3-year bachelor's programs and normally expect VWO level. Many non-EU school certificates are compared to HAVO, so check your country on the Nuffic website first.

Some universities of applied sciences offer two routes. The Hague University of Applied Sciences runs 4-year bachelor's programs for HAVO-level diplomas and 3-year fast-track programs for VWO-level diplomas.

Subject requirements

Many bachelor's programs require specific school subjects. At Wageningen University & Research, for example, Animal Sciences needs Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology, while Tourism needs Mathematics. The University of Groningen asks for programme-specific subjects such as mathematics for science and economics programs.

If your diploma is not enough: preparatory year

If you are not yet eligible, Study in NL says extra preparation may let you qualify the following year, so ask the institution about a preparatory or foundation year. The IND study permit can include a preparatory year, but the total permit cannot exceed 5 years.

Which type of institution suits you?

Choose a university of applied sciences if you want a practical, career-focused degree with internships built in, or if your school certificate is compared to HAVO. Choose a research university if you want an academic degree that leads naturally to a research master's or PhD, and your diploma is at VWO level (or you complete a recognised first year of university at home).

Neither route is second-class. A 4-year HBO bachelor's gives access to HBO master's programs and, often after a pre-master, to research-university master's. Both types are fully accredited, and graduates of an accredited Dutch bachelor's or master's can apply for the one-year orientation year permit after graduation.

Master's programs: bachelor's level and relevance

For a master's you need a bachelor's degree that is both the right level and relevant to the program. Admission boards look at your courses, grades and sometimes research experience. A pre-master program may be offered if your background is insufficient, as the University of Groningen notes for its master's programs.

This matters. A degree compared to an HBO bachelor's may be accepted for many master's programs at universities of applied sciences, while some research-university master's may ask for a pre-master first. The program's admission board makes the final call.

Minimum grades

Dutch universities rarely publish one national GPA cut-off. Some publish country-specific minimums. Wageningen's International Credentials Evaluation Guide 2027-28, for example, asks Afghan bachelor's graduates for about 80% (the grade 'aali', very good) on the 100% scale for MSc admission, and admission boards may set higher requirements.

English language requirements

Study in NL lists the accepted tests: Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency), IELTS, LanguageCert, Pearson, TOEFL iBT and TOEIC. Scores are set per program. Note that TOEFL introduced a new 1–6 score scale, and several universities list both the old and the new scale.

• Test-centre exams are safest. Groningen does not accept IELTS Online, and Avans and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences do not accept home editions.
• Most universities want tests that are at most 2 years old.
• Some universities waive the test if your previous education was in English; Saxion and Wittenborg mention such exemptions. Check the exact rules for your country.

See our guide to English-taught programs in the Netherlands for more on test choice and waivers.

Other documents and selection

• Motivation letter and CV: common for master's and some bachelor's programs.
• Reference letters or writing sample: required by some Groningen master's programs.
• Work experience: The Hague University of Applied Sciences' THUAS Pro master's need at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Selection tests: numerus fixus programs rank applicants; TU Eindhoven holds online selection tests in March 2027 for four selective bachelor's programs.
• Portfolio or audition: arts programs, such as those at Willem de Kooning Academy, have their own admission exam.

Foreign documents may need translation and legalisation. Read documents, translation and legalization for the Netherlands before you order copies.

Applicants from Afghanistan

Nuffic compares the Afghan 12th Grade certificate to a HAVO diploma, so most Afghan school leavers are eligible for universities of applied sciences rather than directly for research-university bachelor's programs. Nuffic also notes that public Afghan higher education requires the Kankor entrance exam. Wageningen says the Afghan secondary diploma is not on its BSc eligibility list and is assessed individually.

Afghan master's applicants with a bachelor's degree are compared to an HBO bachelor's or 2 years of WO. Apply early: Saxion and Hanze set earlier deadlines for Afghan nationals for September 2027. More in how to apply to universities in the Netherlands.

Requirements at a glance

Quick eligibility checklist

1. 1.Look up your diploma on the Nuffic education systems page.
2. 2.Decide: university of applied sciences (HAVO level) or research university (VWO level).
3. 3.Check program subject requirements and any country-specific grade minimum.
4. 4.Book an accepted English test at a test centre.
5. 5.Prepare your CV, motivation letter and references.
6. 6.Apply early and ask the admissions office if anything is unclear.

Back to the complete Netherlands study guide, or track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.